MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — The future of solar panels is moo-ving along as West Virginia researchers highlight the benefits of solar panels on small cattle farms with the support of $1.6 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Researchers will be applying dual-use solar, also known as “agrivoltaics,” which seeks a way to combine solar panels with agricultural uses like crop production, livestock, or pollinator habits. Appalachian Renewable Power will design and install the solar systems while the university researches soil, grasses and cattle around them.
According to WVU Today, 68% of agricultural producers in West Virginia have some sort of off-farm income because they cannot make a living in agriculture alone.
“I think the biggest benefit is that it could allow producers to diversify potential income streams to the farm—continuing to use that grazing land to graze animals and adding another potential revenue stream on top of that,” Matt Wilson, WVU Professor of Animal Sciences, said.
The DOE’s $71 million investment, including $16 million from the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will expand the network of domestic solar manufacturers.
The research will begin in January and February of next year with the installation of solar panels, and grazing under the panels will take place from April 2025 to November 2025. WVU will have its first year of data late in 2025.
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